The Importance of a Thorough Psychiatric Assessment of a Child/Adolescent

A kid or teenager must have a complete psychiatric evaluation because of the fast changes that occur throughout this stage of development in the emotional, cognitive, and social domains. Mental health providers must establish a secure environment where adolescents can express their ideas and emotions because adolescents may not have the same self-awareness and verbal skills as adults. A thorough evaluation enables a deeper comprehension of the person’s experiences, prospective stressors, and underlying elements fueling their emotional issues.

Different Symptom Rating Scales

The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders (SCARED) are two separate symptom rating measures suitable for the psychiatric evaluation of a child or adolescent. The CDI is a self-report test that provides information about the emotional and cognitive experiences of children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 by evaluating the severity of depressive symptoms in these individuals (Francisco et al., 2022). The SCARED, on the other hand, is a self-report questionnaire that assesses anxiety disorder symptoms in kids and teenagers between the ages of 8 and 18, encompassing a variety of symptoms such as generalized anxiety, social phobia, separation anxiety, and more.

Psychiatric Treatment Options for Children and Adolescents

Play therapy and family therapy are two psychiatric treatment approaches that may not be frequently employed while treating adults. Children who may find it difficult to communicate verbally can use play therapy to process their emotions, work out problems, and explore their ideas in a developmentally appropriate way (Gupta et al., 2023). Even though it is employed in adults, family therapy has a special significance while treating children and adolescents because it tackles the family dynamics and interactions crucial to their well-being.

The Role Parents/Guardians Play in Assessment

Parents and guardians play a crucial part in evaluating children and adolescents by offering crucial contextual information and insights regarding their child’s behaviour, emotions, and developmental history (Adesanya et al., 2021). They act as crucial informants by observing the child’s everyday activities, interpersonal interactions, and long-term behavioural changes. Parents and guardians can help children’s mental health by recognizing their family dynamics, potential stresses, and cultural influences.

References

Adesanya, D. O., Johnson, J., & Galanter, C. A. (2021). Assessing and treating aggression in children and adolescents. Pediatric Medicine, 0. https://doi.org/10.21037/pm-20-109